Delaware state waters, out to 3 miles
Closed May 16 - Jun 30.
DE DNREC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Delaware state record
DNREC Delaware Fishing Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Blunt-headed wrasse in charcoal mottle; rubbery lips, crushing teeth. More on the tautog page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Tautog in other states9 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for tautog in Delaware?
16 in min. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many tautog can you keep in Delaware?
4 per day.
When is tautog season in Delaware?
Jan 1 - May 15 and Jul 1 - Dec 31. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Delaware record tautog?
22 lb 14.4 oz (2023).
How current is this Delaware tautog rule?
Source: DE DNREC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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